Daisy-chained LEDs and controller connected to internet

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a system, method, and apparatus for powering intelligent lighting networks. The power for the intelligent lighting network is supplied by Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) switches and/or Mid-Spans, which are conditioned by a powered device to distribute power tuned specifically for each, at least one light emitting diode (LED) fixture. The Power-over-Ethernet switch and/or Mid-Span with associated router and wireless access point is used to communicate with and power a sensor network that collects data relevant to the intelligent lighting network. Optionally, the Power-over-Ethernet switch and/or Mid-Span is used to communicate with and power a network of sensors that collects data relevant to the space the intelligent lighting network is operating in or is used to communicate with and power a network of AC wall plugs that is turned on and off and various switches, relays, and PLCs, RFID systems, USB hubs, etc.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and is a Continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/236,878 filed Aug. 15, 2016 and issued as U.S.Pat. No. 9,877,376, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 toPatent application U.S. Ser. No. 15/005,886 filed Jan. 25, 2016 andissued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,544,976 on Jan. 10, 2017, which claimspriority to Provisional Application U.S. Ser. Nos. 62/107,092 and62/107,104 both filed on Jan. 23, 2015, and to Provisional ApplicationU.S. Ser. Nos. 62/165,510, 62/165,485, 62/165,476, 62/165,468,62/165,462, 62/165,449, 62/165,442, and 62/165,435 all filed on May 22,2015, and to Provisional Application U.S. Ser. Nos. 62/173,419,62/173,421, 62/173,424, 62/173,430, 62/173,438, 62/173,442, 62/173,444,62/173,447, 62/173,482, 62/173,464, and 62/173,466 all filed on Jun. 10,2015, and to Provisional Application U.S. Ser. Nos. 62/205,067,62/205,079, 62/205,082, 62/205,085, 62/205,091, 62/205,094, 62/205,108,and 62/205,110 all filed Aug. 14, 2015, all of which are hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety.

The entire contents of these patent applications are hereby expresslyincorporated herein by reference including, without limitation, thespecification, claims, and abstract, as well as any figures, tables, ordrawings thereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system, method, and apparatus forpowering intelligent lighting networks. Power for the intelligentlighting network is supplied by Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) switchesand/or Mid-Spans, which are conditioned by a powered device todistribute power tuned specifically for each, at least one lightemitting diode (LED) fixture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional LED lighting systems use drivers at each light fixture toconvert AC power to suitable DC power. Drivers are typically mountedwith the light fixtures, and located in the space above the ceiling. Inthis type system for LED lighting, the LED lighting fixtures are part ofthe existing AC electrical circuits. On-Off-Dim controls can be providedby wall switches and dimmers, timers, sensors, or lighting controlsoftware programs that are connected to an AC electrical branch circuit;or controllers located within the LED driver that use powerline, lowvoltage, or wireless communications to be connected to wall switches anddimmers, timers, sensors, or lighting control software programs.

Power-over-Ethernet LED lighting systems use PoE Switch power that iscentrally located. The PoE Switch converts AC power to DC power.Intermediate electronics condition the power so it is suitable for useby LED lighting fixtures. The Intermediate electronics also includecontrollers that use structured cabling and/or wireless forcommunications.

What is needed is a Power-over-Ethernet LED Lighting system, method, andapparatus for powering intelligent lighting networks that is costeffective and energy efficient. The power for such an intelligentlighting network would be supplied by Power-over-Ethernet switchesand/or Mid-Spans, which are conditioned by a powered device todistribute power tuned specifically for each, at least one LED fixture.

OBJECTS AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system, method,and apparatus for continuously refreshing DC power between on and offstates, or on and reduced voltage states, to LED lights.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use directcurrent technology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use powerinverter technology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use Time DomainReflectometry (TDR) technology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use pulse widthmodulation duty cycle technology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use switchtechnology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use voltageregulator technology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use rectifiertechnology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use computerbackplane technology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use common powerbus technology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use Ethernettechnology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use low voltagewiring technology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use twisted paircable technology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use Category 5cable technology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use Category 6cable technology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use Category 7cable technology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use modularconnector technology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use blade servertechnology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use routertechnology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to usePower-over-Ethernet technology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use powerlinecommunication technology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use phantom powertechnology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use networkswitch technology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use relaytechnology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to useultra-wideband technology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use time divisionfor power to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use refresh rateto provide functionality. It is a feature and object of the presentinvention to use flicker to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use temporalresolution to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use computer porttechnology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use modularelectronics technology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use DMXtechnology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use ambient lightsensor technology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use motion sensortechnology to provide functionality.

It is a feature and object of the present invention to use ambient lightsensor chronology to provide functionality.

Such an energy efficient system would use a dimmer matrix that isdesigned to provide the correct amount of electrical power for anyspecific dimmer setting for an LED fixture, or a daisy chain of LEDfixtures. Such an energy efficient system would use two, or morephysical channels to provide power to an LED fixture at a lower pulsewidth modulation (PWM) duty cycle setting, or to power a daisy chain ofLED fixtures. Such a cost efficient system would take advantage of usinglower PWM duty cycles on two physical channels for each LED fixture, ordaisy chain of LED fixtures, to create time bins for N groups of LEDs,or daisy chains of LED fixtures, drawing power from the samePower-over-Ethernet port using a time division multiplexing scheme toreduce Power-over-Ethernet and/or Mid-Span port costs. In addition, aPower-over-Ethernet switch and/or Mid-Span with associated router andwireless access point would be used to communicate with and power, asensor network that collects data relevant to the intelligent lightingnetwork. Optionally, the Power-over-Ethernet switch and/or Mid-Span withassociated router and wireless access point would be used to communicatewith and power, a network of sensors that collects data relevant to thespace the intelligent lighting network is operating in. Optionally, thePower-over-Ethernet switch and/or Mid-Span with associated router andwireless access point would be used to communicate with and power, anetwork of AC wall plugs that can be turned on and off, and variousswitches, relays, and PLCs, RFID systems, USB hubs, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the present invention shown in context ofits larger eco-system.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention shown in context of its larger eco-system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system, method, and apparatus forpowering intelligent lighting networks, and includes an integrated datacollection and marketing system. The power for the intelligent lightingnetwork is supplied by Power-over-Ethernet switches, which isconditioned to properly power LED fixtures. In addition, thePower-over-Ethernet switch, associated router, and wireless accesspoint, can be used to power a sensor network that collects data that isrelevant to a client and their customers. Furthermore, the datacollected from the sensor network can be used to drive a marketingsystem that also is connected to the Power-over-Ethernet switch,associated router, and wireless access point.

LEDs are following Moore's Law, and growing in efficacy at a good rate.The following is a chart for a 2′×2′ LED fixture that is engineered with100 lumens per watt (LPW) diodes. Chart 1 records pulse width modulation(PWM) settings vs. measured foot-candles per Watt (fc/Watt). The resultsillustrate the non-linear response of LEDs light output vs input energy,and the energy saved at various dimmer settings vs a traditional linearpower setting for a 0-10V dimmer. The Non-Linear Dimmer Matrix Settingfor 100% light is selected to be 900 fc, which allows a 5.56% overheadas the LED fixture begins to degrade over time.

CHART 1 Single Physical Channel for Powering a LED Fixture Corre- Energy% Light sponding Saved Using 900 Non- Vs. fc As The Linear TraditionalPWM Top End Dimmer Linear Duty fc/ Design Matrix Power Cycle fc WattsWatt Setting Setting Setting 100 950 30.13 31.53 105.56% 99 950 29.8531.83 105.56% 98 900 29.66 30.34 100.00% 97 900 29.66 30.34 100.00% 96900 29.42 30.60 100.00% 95 900 29.25 30.77 100.00% 94 900 29.10 30.93100.00% 93 900 29.07 30.96 100.00% 92 900 28.88 31.16 100.00% 91 90028.69 31.37 100.00% 90 900 28.53 31.55 100.00% 89 900 28.37 31.72100.00% 88 900 28.20 31.92 100.00% 87 900 28.02 32.12 100.00% 86 90027.82 32.35 100.00% 85 900 27.69 32.50 100.00% 84 900 27.49 32.74100.00% 83 900 27.29 32.98 100.00% 82 900 27.07 33.25 100.00% 81 90026.90 33.46 100.00% 80 900 26.63 33.80 100.00% 79 900 26.41 34.08100.00% 78 900 26.14 34.43 100.00% 77 900 25.90 34.75 100.00% 100% 14.04% 76 830 25.60 32.42  92.22% 75 830 25.33 32.77  92.22% 74 83025.04 33.15  92.22% 73 830 24.71 33.59  92.22% 72 830 24.37 34.05 92.22% 71 830 24.05 34.51  92.22% 70 830 23.67 35.06  92.22% 69 83023.30 35.62  92.22% 68 830 22.92 36.21  92.22% 67 830 22.50 36.90 92.22% 66 830 22.06 37.62  92.22% 65 830 21.64 38.35  92.22% 64 83021.22 39.11  92.22% 63 830 20.81 39.89  92.22% 62 830 20.34 40.81 92.22% 61 830 19.83 41.85  92.22% 60 830 19.18 43.27  92.22% 59 83018.42 45.05  92.22% 58 800 17.88 44.74  92.22% 57 800 17.25 46.39 88.89% 56 800 16.74 47.79  88.89% 55 800 16.09 49.73  88.89% 90% 40.68%54 700 15.52 45.09  77.78% 53 700 14.97 46.77  77.78% 52 700 14.44 48.49 77.78% 80% 40.11% 51 670 13.97 47.96  74.44% 50 670 13.49 49.67  74.44%49 670 12.98 51.63  74.44% 48 640 12.49 51.24  71.11% 47 640 11.99 53.36 71.11% 46 640 11.56 55.37  71.11% 70% 45.20% 45 600 11.08 54.14  66.66%44 600 10.65 56.34  66.66% 43 600 10.21 58.78  66.66% 42 600 9.77 61.41 66.66% 41 550 9.34 58.86  61.11% 40 550 8.88 61.91  61.11% 39 550 8.5064.67  61.11% 60% 48.31% 38 500 8.15 61.32  55.55% 37 500 7.75 64.53 55.55% 36 480 7.37 65.13  53.33% 35 480 7.14 67.26  53.33% 34 440 6.8164.61  48.89% 33 440 6.42 68.58  48.89% 32 440 6.12 71.90  48.89% 50%54.80% 31 410 5.85 70.08  45.55% 30 410 5.48 74.87  45.55% 29 400 5.1877.20  44.44% 28 400 4.93 81.20  44.44% 27 360 4.70 76.61  40.00% 26 3604.46 80.66  40.00% 40% 62.97% 25 340 4.13 82.36  37.78% 24 340 3.8987.44  37.78% 23 320 3.69 86.61  35.55% 22 300 3.51 85.51  33.33% 21 3003.25 92.26  33.33% 20 270 3.06 88.35  30.00% 30% 66.19% 19 240 2.9980.36  26.67% 18 240 2.78 86.36  26.67% 17 220 2.59 85.05  24.44% 16 2002.33 85.75  22.22% 15 200 2.15 92.99  22.22% 14 190 1.98 95.78  21.11%13 180 1.72 104.48  20.00% 20% 71.41% 12 170 1.57 108.27  18.89% 11 1501.36 109.99  16.67% 10 130 1.20 108.46  14.44% 9 120 1.09 110.00  13.33%8 100 0.86 115.83  11.11% 7 90 0.73 123.88  10.00% 10% 75.89% 6 73 0.64113.99  8.11% 5 64 0.51 125.66  7.11% 4 50 0.44 112.54  5.56% 3 37 0.35105.14  4.11% 2 25 0.26 96.41  2.78% 1 12 0.11 106.67  1.33%

Chart 1 illustrates the primary features of the present invention:

At a PWM duty cycle of 77%, the output of the LED fixture is 900 fc,which saves 14.04% energy vs. running the LED fixture at a PWM dutycycle of 100%.

At a PWM duty cycle of 52%, the output of the LED fixture is 700 fc (ora non-linear dimmer matrix setting of 80%), which saves 40.11% energyvs. running the LED fixture at a PWM duty cycle of 100%.

At a PWM duty cycle of 46%, the output of the LED fixture is 640 fc (ora non-linear dimmer matrix setting of 70%), which saves 45.20% energyvs. running the LED fixture at a PWM duty cycle of 100%.

At a PWM duty cycle of 32%, the output of the LED fixture is 440 fc (ora non-linear dimmer matrix setting of 50%), which saves 54.80% energyvs. running the LED fixture at a PWM duty cycle of 100%.

Therefore as an example, using two stacked physical channels, bothoperating at a PWM duty cycle of 0.333, the present invention can makeapproximately 100% of the maximum light (900 fc) while savingapproximately six (6) to eight (8) watts vs. running the same LEDfixture at a PWM duty cycle of 100%, which is a primary benefit of thepresent invention.

As a result a non-linear dimmer matrix can be constructed to managelight output luminosity vs. power input so that each LED fixture, ordaisy chained group of LED fixtures, is using the minimum amount ofelectricity to produce the required light at any dimmer setting.

A second benefit of operating using two stacked physical channels is atime division multiplexing scheme can be constructed that allowsmultiple LED fixtures, or multiple daisy chains of LED fixtures, to bepowered by a single PoE port. As an example, using Chart 1 we canoperate three (3) LED fixtures using a time division multiplexingscheme, in which each LED fixture is operating using two stackedphysical channels, operating with a 33% duty cycle, and then staggeringthe start time of each LED fixture so that only one (1) LED fixture isdrawing power at any point in time. In this example, three (3) LEDfixtures, or daisy chains of LED fixtures, can operate on a singlePower-over-Ethernet or Mid-Span port using a series of staggered starttimes, which greatly reduces Power-over-Ethernet Switch and/or Mid-Spanequipment costs.

The primary features of the present invention are: 1) stacking at leasttwo physical channels to drive each LED fixture, or daisy chain of LEDfixtures, 2) managing dimmer settings using linear luminosityrequirements vs. uncorrelated linear power settings, and 3) managing thestart time for each LED fixture, or daisy chain of LED fixtures, and thepresent invention also uses 4) sensors to detect ambient lightconditions related to a particular LED fixture, or zone of LED fixtures,identified by room or space definitions that are cross-referenced toOSHA requirements, National and Local building code requirements,standards organizations, and/or customer requirements to either minimumor desired ambient light conditions. As an example, the requirements fora building corridor are much different than for a hospital room, officespace or lobby. The present invention's dimmer controls can be set tooperate according to static dimmer settings in the lighting program thatare adjusted according to signals received from at least onestrategically place ambient light sensor, or by automatically adjusteddimmer settings according to signals received from at least onestrategically placed ambient light sensor which are cross-referenced totables for spaces and rooms defined in OSHA regulations, and/or Nationaland Local building codes, standards organizations, or proprietaryrequirements. The fifth (5th) primary feature of the present inventionis intelligent lighting systems can be self-configuring using AutoIDtechnologies, such as, but not limited to, RFID tags, barcoded tags,etc., to simplify the installation, commissioning, and warrantyprocesses for simple, or very complicated, lighting environments.

These features of the present invention will be described in more detailin the detailed description of the various embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a system, method, and apparatus forpowering intelligent lighting networks, and includes an integrated datacollection and marketing system. Power for the intelligent lightingnetwork is supplied by Power-over-Ethernet switches, which isconditioned to properly power LED fixtures.

In addition, the Power-over-Ethernet switch, associated router, andwireless access point, can be used to power a sensor network thatcollects data that is relevant to a client and their customers.

Furthermore, the data collected from the sensor network can be used todrive a marketing system that also is connected to thePower-over-Ethernet switch, associated router, and wireless accesspoint.

Even furthermore, the present invention includes a power distributionunit, referred to throughout the description of the present invention asPower Station 130, which includes an integrated Lighting SystemController and optional integrated Industrial System Controller, astructured cabling network, sensors, wall switches, and LED fixtures.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of the present invention inwhich the Power Station 130 includes Controller 132, Lighting Controller133, Shared Memory 134, Optional Industrial Controller 135, and LineCards 136A,B,C integrated in a rack-mountable chassis, which includesthe elements, objects, features, and benefits described as follows.

Internet 100 is a global system of interconnected computer networks thatuse the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to link several billion devicesworldwide. It is a network of networks that consists of millions ofprivate, public, academic, business, and government networks of local toglobal scope, linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless, andoptical networking technologies. The Internet carries an extensive rangeof information resources and services, such as the inter-linkedhypertext documents and applications of the World Wide Web (WWW), theinfrastructure to support email, telephony, and peer-to-peer networksfor file sharing. Internet 100 also illustrates the deployment of HybridCloud 102. Hybrid Clouds are further described in element 101 following.The Hybrid Cloud 102 that operates on Internet 100 includesapplications, software, and databases for an enterprise resourceplanning (ERP) system, and an ISO/OSHA graphical user interface (GUI)that is a series of interconnected processes that overlay the presentinvention's ERP system. In addition, Hybrid Cloud 102 includesapplications, software, and databases for Lighting as a Service (LaaS)system, Marketing as a Service (MaaS) system, VoIP as a Service(VoIPaaS) system, and Location as a Service (XYZaaS) system. HybridCloud 102 is built using Cisco Integration Platform (CIP) and CiscoIntercloud products. Both of these products are further described inHybrid Cloud 101.

Hybrid Cloud 101 is a composite cloud service that crosses theboundaries of private, public, and community clouds that extends thecapacity and capability, via aggregation and integration, of thecomposite cloud service provided by the present invention. As anexample, the present invention may store sensitive client data in houseon a private cloud application and interconnect that application to abusiness intelligence application provided on a public cloud, as asoftware service. In the present invention, Hybrid Cloud 101 and HybridCloud 102 communicate over Internet 100. The data is collected andstored as a result of using the present invention's sensors that arepart of LaaS (Lighting as a Service) and MaaS (Marketing as a Service)systems. These sensors include WiFi and Bluetooth MAC addresses,temperature readings, camera gathered data, lighting system sensors thatdetect occupancy, vacancy, and ambient lighting conditions, etc. Thehybrid cloud structure represented as Hybrid Cloud 101 and Hybrid Cloud102 may use public cloud computing resources to meet temporary capacityneeds that cannot be met by our private cloud. This capability enablesthe present invention's hybrid cloud to employ cloud bursting forscaling across at least one cloud, or a multiplicity of clouds. Theprimary application running in the Hybrid Cloud 101 is the presentinvention's Data as a Service (DaaS) engine, which includes data storageand data analytic services. Hybrid Cloud 101 also includes a CouponExchange for uniquely identified offers and discounts, and analyticengines, such as, but to limited to GAUSS, and GUIs for the MaaS systemto request data to offer uniquely identified discounts, coupons, etc. tothe MaaS system's customer's client's that have opted into the system.These uniquely identified discounts, coupons, etc. are offered to a MaaSclient's customer's on-the-fly, based on analytics of past and presentcustomer behaviors.

Hybrid Cloud 101 and Hybrid Cloud 102 may be constructed using Cisco'sIntercloud product. In addition, Hybrid Cloud 101 and Hybrid Cloud 102may be constructed using Cisco's Integration Platform, aka CIP. CIP isused to connect the present inventions diverse, on premise cloud, andDaaS applications across the business enterprise, and makes it easy toexchange data and services between them. This is done in an automatedfashion, reusing application integrations and APIs to accelerate thedelivery of new customer experiences, at a much lower cost.

The CIP solution brings together two powerful technologies:

1) Cisco Integration Bus, an open standards-based integration platformwith over 120 prebuilt application connectors, graphical design tools,and mixed-model deployment tools, in order to integrate and deployapplications or services seamlessly and quickly.

2) API Management, a comprehensive suite of life-cycle managementcapabilities to design, build, and manage APIs for our systems andservices.

The combination of these technologies provides the present invention afull set of enterprise-class tools and capabilities to create, deploy,manage, and capitalize on application integrations and APIs throughoutour business. These include:

-   -   1) High reliability, with clustering for high availability and        enterprise scalability    -   2) Broad business visibility through a Business Event Analyzer    -   3) Fast problem resolution with the Service Flow Analyzer    -   4) Strong security with role-based access control and Security        Assertion Markup Language (SAML)    -   5) Accelerated deployments with the Deployment Manager and        Integrated Repository    -   6) Advanced performance management with service-level agreement        (SLA) alerts, Monitoring Framework Integration, and a Run-time        Performance Manager    -   7) Simplified and pervasive operational control with tools like        Integration Bus Remote Control, Task Scheduler, Operational        Dashboard, and a Representational State Transfer (REST) API for        Management

Router 110 is a networking device that forwards data packets betweencomputer networks. Routers perform the “traffic directing” functions onthe Internet. A data packet is typically forwarded from one router toanother through the networks that constitute the internet, until itreaches its destination node.

A router is connected to two or more data lines from different networks(as opposed to a network switch, which connects data lines from onesingle network). When a data packet comes in on one of the lines, therouter reads the address information in the packet to determine itsultimate destination. Then, using information in its routing table orrouting policy, it directs the packet to the next network on itsjourney. This creates an overlay inter-network. Router 110 is also asecurity appliance.

Network Connection 190S represents the connection from the premise wherethe LaaS network rack is located and Internet 100. This connection caninclude a variety of, but is not limited to, wired, and/or wireless,and/or fiber-optic connections, as well as an ISP modem, and head-endequipment, POTS networks, cable networks, satellite networks, microwaverelays, LANS, WANS, cellular networks including a hot spot, etc.

PoE Switch 120 describes any of several standardized or ad-hoc systemswhich pass electrical power along with data on Ethernet cabling. Thisallows a single cable to provide both data connection and electricalpower to devices such as wireless access points, IP cameras, and LEDlights. Unlike standards such as Universal Serial Bus which also powerdevices over the data cables, PoE allows long cable lengths. Power maybe carried on the same conductors as the data, or it may be carried ondedicated conductors in the same cable.

PoE Switch 120 also includes PoE Controller 121.

There are several common techniques for transmitting power over Ethernetcabling. Two of them have been standardized by IEEE 802.3. Since onlytwo of the four pairs are needed for 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX, power maybe transmitted on the unused conductors of the cable. In the IEEEstandards, this is referred to as Alternative B. Power may also betransmitted on the data conductors by applying a common-mode voltage toeach pair. Because twisted-pair Ethernet uses differential signaling,this does not interfere with data transmission. The common mode voltageis easily extracted using the center tap of the standard Ethernet pulsetransformer. This is similar to the phantom power technique commonlyused for powering audio microphones. In the IEEE standards, this isreferred to as Alternative A.

In addition to standardizing existing practice for spare-pair andcommon-mode data pair power transmission, the IEEE PoE standards providefor signaling between the power sourcing equipment (PSE) and powereddevice (PD). This signaling allows the presence of a conformant deviceto be detected by the power source, and allows the device and source tonegotiate the amount of power required or available. Up to a theoretical51 watts is available for a device, depending on the version of thestandard in use and the vendor of the hardware.

A switch is a device in a computer network that electrically andlogically connects together other devices. Multiple data cables areplugged into a switch to enable communication between differentnetworked devices. Switches manage the flow of data across a network bytransmitting a received message only to the one or more devices forwhich the message was intended. Each networked device connected to aswitch can be identified using a MAC address, allowing the switch toregulate the flow of traffic. This maximizes security and efficiency ofthe network.

Due to these features, a switch may be seen as more “intelligent” than anetwork hub, which provides no security or identification of connecteddevices. As a result, messages have to be transmitted out of every portof the hub, greatly degrading the overall efficiency of the network.

An Ethernet switch operates at the data link layer (layer 2) of the OSImodel to create a separate collision domain for each switch port. Eachcomputer connected to a switch port can transfer data to any of theother ones at a time, and the transmissions may not interfere, with thelimitation that, in half duplex mode, each line can only either receivefrom or transmit to its connected computer at a certain time. In fullduplex mode, each line can simultaneously transmit and receive,regardless of the partner.

PoE Switch 120 transmits both data and power to the present invention'sPower Station 130. The present invention's Power Station 130 is a powermanagement and distribution switch architected to enable the next phaseof the PoE-powered LED lighting evolution. The Power Station 130 is alsoa combiner that aggregates power from several PoE ports into severalcommon power buses operating on Power Station 130. The Power Station 130provides a solution to intelligently manage and distribute powerprovided by PoE sources, including switches and Mid-Spans, to highefficiency LED lights, while maximizing operational cost savings. ThePower Station 130 is future-enabled with vertical and horizontal powerregulation and distribution across multiple channels operating onmultiple ports to optimize port usage for the LED industries efficiencygains, and to allow for LED lights with different power requirements tooperate on the same Power Station 130. The present invention's digitalintelligent Lighting System Controller is fully integrated in the PowerStation 130. Optionally, the Lighting System Controller is designed toinclude an industrial bus controller for managing and operating relays,solenoids, PLCs, and for communicating with building automation systems,etc. In addition, the Power Station 130's back-end systems are designedto take advantage of the Cisco Integration Platform, and the CiscoIntercloud product offering. Overall, the present invention's PowerStation 130 offers unparalleled cost savings for PoE-powered LEDlighting networks. The Power Station 130 uses the PoE Switch 120 topower and communicate with a sensor network, other Power Station 130s,and back-end systems. The present invention's PoE switch poweredsolution is robust, agile, and takes advantage of the inherent featuresand benefits of PoE switches, such as, but not limited to, security andunified communications.

The present invention's Power Station 130 is a modular platform that maybe re-configured internally to provide a variety of port configurations,such as, but not limited to:

-   an 8 port power station,-   a 12 port power station,-   a 16 port power station,-   a 20 port power station,-   a 24 port power station,-   a 28 port power station,-   a 32 port power station,-   a 36 port power station,-   a 40 port power station,-   a 44 port power station,-   a 48 port power station,-   a 60 port power station,-   a 72 port power station,-   a 96 port power station,-   a 144 port power station,-   a 192 port power station,-   etc.

The Power Station 130s are designed for scalability. The modulararchitecture of these platforms enables the deployment of small, medium,and large PoE-powered LED lighting networks.

The key features and benefits of the present invention's Power Station130 are illustrated in Chart 2 which includes, but is not limited to:

CHART 2 Features Benefits PoE 1) The present invention's Power Stations130 are powered Power by off-the-shelf PoE switches or Mid-Spans thatare or very reliable. Depending on the model, they can provide Mid-150,000 to 400,000 hours MTBF. Span 2) The off-the-shelf PoE switches orMid-Spans used to Power power the present invention's Power Stations 130can be configured with dual, hot-swappable power supplies. 3) Theoff-the-shelf PoE Switches used to power the present invention's PowerStations 130 may be configured to share power vertically between as manyas four inter-connected, stacked switches. 4) The Power Station 130 isdesigned to negotiate individual port power requirements withoff-the-shelf PoE switches. Tunable 1) The present invention's PowerStations 130 can be Power programmed to condition the PoE supplied powerto the appropriate voltage and amperage requirements for anymanufacturer's LED fixtures without requiring a DC power-supply, ordriver. The primary benefit is flexibility for the end-user to chooseLED fixtures that meet their architectural requirements withoutlimitation. 2) The present invention's Power Stations 130 tunable powercan be programmed to be implemented within sub-groups of channels on thesame Power Station, so that LED fixtures with differing powerrequirements can all be supplied simultaneously. Stacked 1) The presentinvention's Power Stations 130 are powered PWM by Stacked PWM channelsoperating on the same output Channels port. Stacking PWM channels allowsthe Power Station 130 to take advantage of the non-linear response ofLEDs to input power, in order to provide full lumen output atapproximately 33% of the duty cycle of a full PWM regularly repeatingcycle. The primary benefit is less energy is required to provide fulllumens using Stacked PWM channels. The second benefit is more lights canoperate on the same output port. The tertiary benefit is less energymeans less heat, which means even longer life for LEDs. Time 1) Thepresent invention's Power Stations 130 Stacked Division PWM channelfeature on a single output port can be Multi- used with a Time DivisionMultiplexing scheme to plexing sequence PWM duty cycle start times to beoff-set, so as many as three adjacent ports can be powered using a powersupply that is ⅓ the size required if all three adjacent ports wereoperating on random, uncontrolled PWM cycle start times. Although, thesame amount of power is needed to power a series of LED fixtures, thegoal isn't to specify a power supply that is ⅓ the size required. Thegoal, and primary benefit of Time Division Multiplexing, is the abilityto power up to 3X additional LED fixtures per PoE Switch and PowerStation combination. Common 1) The present invention's Power Stations130 are Power configured such that three, or perhaps four, adjacent Busports operate on a Common Power Bus. The primary and benefit is powereddevices requiring more than 60 watts Back- of power can be supplied. Inaddition, the bus provides plane a standard connection for four portline cards. The line cards include a micro-controller, a variable powersupply, DMX for controlling power sequencing and combining power, PWMengines for On/Off-Dimming, and are designed to plug into a commonbackplane. Rack- 1) The present invention's Power Station 130 is 1Uhigh, Mounted rack mountable network gear designed to be familiar totechnicians, and installation crews. In addition, the rack-mountablePower Station 130 may be in close proximity to the PoE switch orMid-Span, which means neater, more compact cabling. Integrated 1) Thepresent invention's Power Station 130 include two Lighting integratedcontrollers, a shared memory resource and Controller logic engine, andan API, a DMX Lighting System and Controller for the lighting system,and an OPC Optional Industrial Bus controller for controlling relays,Industrial solenoids, PLCs, and building automation systems Controlleroperating on industrial buses. The Lighting System Controller isdesigned to plug into a common backplane. 2) The present invention'sPower Station 130 DMX Lighting System Controller's logic engine providesfor events, event related trigger thresholds, and a programmable DimmerMatrix for PWM vs desired light levels. The event definitions for abuilding lighting system can be programmed via a GUI to include time-of-day, day-of-week, holidays, opening time, closing time, personnel ID,personnel location, local building code lighting level requirements,national building code lighting level requirements, building operatorlighting level requirements that exceed and supersede local and nationallighting level requirements, occupancy, vacancy, ambient light level,imaging analysis, peak demands, etc. The DMX Lighting System Controllercan also be programmed via GUI to respond to events and triggers fornon-building lighting systems, such as those related to indooragriculture. These events can include soil conditions, temperature,humidity, air exchanges, nutrient conditions, leaf wetness, IR imagingfor plant temperature, imaging for leaf color and plant health,personnel ID, personnel location, equipment location, time-of-day,day-of-week, holidays, opening time, closing time, etc. The LightingSystem Controller's lighting and industrial controllers are bothdesigned to respond to events, and related triggers maintained in thelogic engine. 3) The present invention's Power Station 130 DMX LightingSystem Controller provides centralized control for one master PowerStation 130 and up to four slaved Power Stations 130 in a conventionalDMX universe. DMX is well known in the lighting industry, and is arobust design with 40 years of success in the marketplace. 4) The secondgeneration present invention's Power Station 130 DMX Lighting SystemController may deliver DMX over Ethernet to remove the constraint of onemaster Power Station 130 and up to four slaved Power Stations 130 in aconventional DMX universe. 5) The present invention's Power Station 130DMX Lighting System Controller includes tables for defining building,space, and room types according to national, regional, and localstandards. These tables are used to configure the system, such thatlights or groups of lights can be automatically adjusted using sensorsto adjust lumen output levels to the correct and most efficient levels.Using building, space, and room definitions is critical in buildingintelligent lighting systems that self- configure, and operateaccordingly. 6) The present invention's Power Station 130 DMX LightingSystem Controller includes the V-Pulse ® Non- Linear Dimmer Matrix. Thisfeature results in a dimmer that is controlled by the desired lightoutput setting that has been mapped to the appropriate PWM duty cyclesetting. The primary benefit of this feature is extreme energy savings.The secondary benefit is reduced operating temperatures, which equatesto longer life for LED fixtures. The third benefit is a furtherreduction in air conditioning operating costs needed to subtract theheat load caused by the operation of a conventional lighting system. Thefourth benefit is longer operating ranges from the Power Station 130. 7)The present invention's Power Station 130 DMX Lighting System Controllerinterfaces with sensors, switches, and dimmers connected thru the PoESwitch 120 to create an ad hoc control network to intelligently drivethe LED lighting system using occupancy, vacancy, ambient light levels,motion, time of day, and date. In addition, sensors such as temperature,humidity, O2, CO2, can be used to intelligently drive the LED lightingsystem when used in environments such as indoor farming applications. 8)The present invention's Power Station 130 DMX Lighting System Controllerprovides a scheduler that can be programmed by a client via a web-basedGUI. 9) The present invention's Power Station 130 DMX Lighting SystemController can interact wireless thru the PoE Switch with anInstallation Tool app, a Maintenance Tool app, and a User Tool app. 10)The present invention's Power Station 130 DMX Lighting System Controllercan also be connected to other Power Station 130 DMX Lighting SystemControllers, and can be grouped together to operate in unison in thesame general region of a facility, disparate regions of the samefacility, multiple buildings on a campus, an entire campus, or in awide-area network of buildings that are widely dispersed regionally,nationally, or inter-nationally. 11) The present invention's PowerStation 130 OPC Industrial Bus controller provides the ability tocontrol relays, solenoids, and PLCs operating on industrial buses. Thepresent invention's Power Station 130 OPC Industrial Bus controller canbe connected to other Power Station 130 OPC Industrial Bus controllersand can be grouped together to operate in unison in the same generalregion of a facility, disparate regions of the same facility, multiplebuildings on a campus, an entire campus, or in a wide-area network ofbuildings that are widely dispersed regionally, nationally, or inter-nationally. 12) The present invention's Power Station 130 DMX LightingSystem Controller and OPC Industrial Bus controller databases aredesigned to be easily inter- connected using the Cisco IntegrationPlatform. The DMX Lighting System Controller and OPC Industrial Buscontroller databases are designed to record and seamlessly share smalldata with a big Data as a Service database and analytic engine.Meraki 1) The optional Meraki MDM software application MDM providesunified management of Power Station 130 (Mobile controllers, and theentire network of controllers, from a Data centralized dashboard. MDM isused to intelligently and Manager) easily enforce device securitypolicies, deploy and (Optional) upgrade O/S and software, and performremote, live troubleshooting on thousands of network connected PowerStation 130 controllers.

Power Station 130 may use input from the ambient light sensors inconjunction with the “building, space, room type” definition table andcorresponding minimum light levels matrix that is stored in its memory,to select the correct light setting. The non-linear dimmer matrix thatis stored in the Power Station 130's DMX Lighting System Controllermemory may serve as a guide to constantly make the correct adjustmentsto the LED fixtures. The net result is the most efficient, and robustlighting system possible, one that is powered by PoE switches, andmanaged by the Power Station 130 with integrated Lighting Controller133.

The present invention Power Station 130 provides a power management anddistribution solution that is future-proofed. The efficacy of LEDsfollows Moore's law, so PoE, PoE+, and UPoE power will nearly always beout of sync when optimizing available power to create logical lightingcircuits. The Power Station 130 is a modular component in a PoE Switch120—Power Station 130 combination, by conditioning standard PoE power tomeet complex installation environments, and to meet the ever-changinglandscape of increasing LED efficiencies.

Power Station 130 is comprised of the following: Power Bus andBack-plane 131, Controller 132, Lighting Controller 133, Shared Memory134, optional Industrial Controller 135, Line Cards 136A, B, C, PowerConditioning Modules 137A, B, C, Micro-Controllers 138A, B, C, InputPower and Data Ports 181A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J and Output PowerPorts 180A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I. Input power is provided by AC MainsPower 170. The Power Station 130 converts AC to DC for use by the PoESwitch, and in turn, the Power Station 130, and LED 140A, B (Mfg. A),LED 141A, B (Mfg. B), LED 142A, B (Mfg. C).

Power Bus and Back-plane 131 may be configured as a Distributed PowerArchitecture, or an Intermediate Bus Architecture.

Controller 132 may be a field-programmable gate array integrated circuitdesigned to be configured by a customer or a designer aftermanufacturing. The FPGA configuration is generally specified using ahardware description language (HDL), similar to that used for anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Alternatively,Controller 132 may be configured as at least one micro-controller. Amicrocontroller, often abbreviated μC, uC or MCU, is a small computer ona single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, andprogrammable input/output peripherals. Program memory in the form ofFerroelectric RAM, NOR flash or OTP ROM is also often included on chip,as well as a typically small amount of RAM. Microcontrollers aredesigned for embedded applications, in contrast to the microprocessorsused in personal computers or other general purpose applications.Microcontrollers make it economical to digitally control even moredevices and processes. Mixed signal microcontrollers are common,integrating analog components needed to control non-digital electronicsystems. Some microcontrollers may use four-bit words and operate atclock rate frequencies as low as 4 kHz, for low power consumption(single-digit milliwatts or microwatts). They will generally have theability to retain functionality while waiting for an event such as abutton press or other interrupt; power consumption while sleeping (CPUclock and most peripherals off) may be just nanowatts, making many ofthem well suited for long lasting battery applications. Othermicrocontrollers may serve performance-critical roles, where they mayneed to act more like a digital signal processor (DSP), with higherclock speeds and power consumption.

Typically, FPGAs contain an array of programmable logic blocks, and ahierarchy of reconfigurable interconnects that allow the blocks to be“wired together”, like many logic gates that can be inter-wired indifferent configurations. Logic blocks can be configured to performcomplex combinational functions, or merely simple logic gates like ANDand OR. In most FPGAs, logic blocks also include memory elements, whichmay be simple flip-flops or more complete blocks of memory.

Controller 132 includes, but is not limited to, blocks designed for useas the Lighting Controller 133's Shared Memory 134, and an optionalIndustrial Controller 135.

In the preferred embodiment, Lighting Controller 133 is based on theDMX512A protocol. However, Lighting Controller 133 can be designed as acontrol system device, or set of devices, to manage, command, direct orregulate the behavior of other the LaaS system. The Lighting Controller133 can be an open loop control system and/or a closed loop controlsystems. In open loop control systems output is generated based oninputs. In closed loop control systems current output is taken intoconsideration and corrections are made based on feedback. A closed loopsystem is also called a feedback control system. A hybrid control systemmay use both an open and closed loop control system.

DMX is a standard for digital communication networks that are commonlyused to control stage lighting and effects. It was originally intendedas a standardized method for controlling light dimmers, which prior toDMX512, had employed various incompatible proprietary protocols. It soonbecame the primary method for linking controllers such as a lightingconsole, to dimmers and special effects devices such as fog machines andintelligent lights. DMX has also expanded to uses in non-theatricalinterior and architectural lighting, ranging from strings of Christmaslights to electronic billboards. DMX can now be used to control almostanything, reflecting its popularity in theaters and other venues.

DMX512 employs EIA-485 differential signaling at its physical layer, inconjunction with a variable-size, packet-based communication protocol.It is unidirectional.

DMX512 does not include automatic error checking and correction, and sois not an appropriate control for hazardous applications.

In 1998 the Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA)began a revision process to develop the standard as an ANSI standard.The resulting revised standard, known officially as “EntertainmentTechnology—USITT DMX512-A-Asynchronous Serial Digital Data TransmissionStandard for Controlling Lighting Equipment and Accessories”, wasapproved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in November2004. It was revised again in 2008, and is the current standard known as“E1.11-2008, USITT DMX512-A”, or just “DMX512-A”.

In January 2011 ESTA merged with PLASA, a similar organization in theUK. The new organization is called Plasa. All ESTA standards are nowmaintained by Plasa.

A standard deployment of a DMX512 network employs a multi-drop bustopology with nodes strung together in what is commonly called a daisychain. A network consists of a single DMX512 controller—which is themaster of the network—and one or more slave devices. For example, alighting console is frequently employed as the controller for a networkof slave devices such as dimmers, fog machines and intelligent lights.

Each slave device has a DMX512 “IN” connector and usually an “OUT” (or“THRU”) connector as well. The controller, which has only an OUTconnector, is connected via a DMX512 cable to the IN connector of thefirst slave. A second cable then links the OUT or THRU connector of thefirst slave to the IN connector of the next slave in the chain, and soon. For example, the block diagram below shows a simple networkconsisting of a controller and three slaves.

The specification requires a ‘terminator’ to be connected to the finalOUT or THRU connector of the last slave on the daisy chain, which wouldotherwise be unconnected. A terminator is a stand-alone male connectorwith an integral 120Ω resistor connected across the primary data signalpair. This resistor matches the cable's characteristic impedance. If asecondary data pair is used, a termination resistor is connected acrossit as well. Although simple systems (i.e., systems having few devicesand short cables) may sometimes function normally without a terminator,the standard requires its use. Some DMX slave devices have built-interminators that can be manually activated with a mechanical switch orby software, or by automatically sensing the absence of a connectedcable.

A DMX512 network is called a “DMX universe”. Each OUT connector on aDMX512 controller can control a single universe. Smaller controllers mayhave a single OUT connector, enabling them to control only one universe,whereas large control desks (operator consoles) may have the capacity tocontrol multiple universes, with an OUT connector provided for eachuniverse.

DMX512 data are transmitted over a differential pair using EIA-485voltage levels. DMX512 electrical specifications are identical to thoseof the EIA-485-A standard, except where stated otherwise in E1.11.

DMX512 is a bus network no more than 1,200 meters (3,900 ft.) long, withnot more than 32 unit loads on a single bus. If more than 32 unit loadsneed to communicate, the network can be expanded across parallel busesusing DMX splitters. Network wiring consists of a shielded twisted pair,with a characteristic impedance of 120 Ohms, with a termination resistorat the end of the cable furthest from the controller to absorb signalreflections. DMX512 has two twisted pair data paths, althoughspecification currently only defines the use of one of the twistedpairs. The second pair is undefined, but required by the electricalspecification.

Alternatively, the present invention may employ a DMX over Ethernetprotocol to extend the number of DMX universes and channels that can becontrolled from a centralized Lighting Controller 133.

Due to the layered structure of the TCP/IP protocol suite that makes upthe transmission standard used on Ethernet networks, multiple, unrelatedpieces of data are sent down the same network. Tracking backupinformation such as lighting program parameters, firmware updates, RDM(Remote Device Management) information, and much more can be run downthe one network, without any of the costly, time-consuming cablere-arrangement that is normally required when a lighting system'sprogrammed configuration is changed

A significant benefit of Ethernet is its “star-topology” wiring layout.While DMX uses a “daisy-chaining” method, the star-topology of Ethernetleads to a much more robust network. The lack of daisy-chaining supportmay seem like a disadvantage at first, but the extra resilience of anetwork utilizing a star-topology means a fault in a device or cable maygenerally have a much smaller impact over the whole network and make iteasier to trace. This coupled with the lower cost of cable may make anetwork utilizing Ethernet a safer, more robust system than anythingbuilt using the DMX protocol. The lack of “inputs” and “outputs” inEthernet means plug any device, be it a console or fixture, into anyport without needing to worry about the direction of travel. All devicesmay automatically communicate with each other as required, as a resultof the TCP/IP protocol suite.

One of the most under-estimated advantages of a DMX over Ethernetimplementation is Ethernet's ability to leverage the wide range oftechnologies developed by the IT industry. Inexpensive, yet highlyreliable switches and cables can be used and there's a host ofsub-protocols supported by most switches. An example of this would beSpanning Tree Protocol (IEEE 802.1D) which allows redundant linksbetween switches such that should one go down for whatever reason, theother can take over seamlessly. Another useful technology is VirtualLANs, or VLANs (IEEE 802.1Q) which allows multiple venues all on the onenetwork to segment the network into discrete virtual networks,guaranteeing no inadvertent control of one room from another. StreamingACN makes use of the multicasting protocol to intelligently routeuniverses of DMX only where it's required, with no manualreconfiguration. All of these features come in commonly availableswitches that are extremely reliable and often available much cheaperthan the largely featureless DMX splitters in use today.

There is not yet a universal agreement between manufacturers as to whichDMX-over-Ethernet protocol to use. Some protocols are fairly open andused by many manufacturers, while others remain proprietary and aretypically only used by the manufacturer that developed them. There aretypically five main protocols: ArtNet, Pathport, ShowNet, ETC Net2 andStreaming ACN.

ArtNet is a simple protocol designed purely for encapsulating DMX datawithin Ethernet, nice and simply. ArtNet has introduced the lightingworld to DMX-over-Ethernet and is the most widely used DMX-over-Ethernetprotocol in use today. However, there are some constraints that maylimit its long-term usefulness. The numbering of universes from 0 ratherthan 1 is not very user-friendly, and can lead to confusion andincompatibility between manufacturers. Similarly, the lack of supportfor multicasting can make its transmission inefficient in large eventsutilizing many universes. For these and other reasons, ArtNet's futureis in doubt against the more robustly defined Streaming ACN protocol.

Pathport, ShowNet and ETC Net2 are protocols designed by Pathway, Strandand ETC respectively. Their penetration is not as wide-spread as ArtNet,but they are used by a few consoles and devices. The Pathport protocolis supported by both MA's GrandMA and Jands' Vista for example, whileStrand's ShowNet is the only protocol available in their 300 and 500series desk. ETC Net2 is the protocol used for ETC's previous generationof consoles.

Streaming ACN is probably the best DMX-over-Ethernet protocol available.Not only does it avoid some of the pitfalls of its predecessors, but italso adds some new features that extend the functionality allowed inDMX. This feature allows visualization software to use a differentstream of DMX than that is being used by the dimmers and fixtures,embedded priority information and an “end-of-sequence” function.

One of the most important things to consider in designing aDMX-over-Ethernet protocol is the range of DMX-over-Ethernet protocolssupported. While most support ArtNet, currently the most popularprotocol, there is still a significant amount of equipment out therethat does not support ArtNet. Streaming ACN may become the preferredprotocol driving lighting equipment. Pathport nodes are unique in thelarge range of protocols they support. ArtNet, Pathport, ShowNet, ETCNet2 and Streaming ACN (ETC Net3) are all supported by Pathway'sPathport nodes.

The best approach for DMX and Ethernet protocol is with infrastructurethat is entirely Ethernet based. This allows DMX-to-Ethernet nodes to beplaced where required that convert the DMX-over-Ethernet signal tolegacy DMX for only the last couple of meters to the lights. It'sgenerally important to feed more than one run of Ethernet to a specificlocation so there is not only one for a DMX-to-Ethernet node, but alsofor native Ethernet devices, such as configuration devices and futuredevices to plug directly in. Some nodes allow their ports to beconfigured as either output or input, regardless of the gender of thephysical port. This allows a node typically used for output to become aninput node with no more hardware except a simple gender-changer adaptor.

Lighting Controller 133 can receive data from Switches and Sensors 162to turn on, turn off, or dim LED 140A, B, and/or LED 141A, B, and/or LED142A, B.

Controller 132 also includes Shared Memory 134, and optional IndustrialController 135.

Shared Memory 134 is an electronic data storage device, implemented on asemiconductor-based integrated circuit. It is made in many differenttypes and technologies.

Semiconductor memory has the property of random access, which means thatit takes the same amount of time to access any memory location, so datacan be efficiently accessed in any random order. In a semiconductormemory chip, each bit of binary data is stored in a tiny circuit calleda memory cell consisting of one to several transistors. The memory cellsare laid out in rectangular arrays on the surface of the chip. The 1-bitmemory cells are grouped in small units called words which are accessedtogether as a single memory address. Memory is manufactured in wordlength that is usually a power of two, typically N=1, 2, 4 or 8 bits.

Data is accessed by means of a binary number called a memory addressapplied to the chip's address pins, which specifies which word in thechip is to be accessed. If the memory address consists of M bits, thenumber of addresses on the chip is 2M, each containing an N bit word.Consequently, the amount of data stored in each chip is N2M bits. Thememory storage capacity for M number of address lines is given by 2M,which is usually in power of two: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256 and 512and measured in kibibits, mebibits, gibibits or tebibits, etc. Currently2014 is the largest semiconductor memory chip and holds a few gibibitsof data, but higher capacity memory is constantly being developed. Bycombining several integrated circuits, memory can be arranged into alarger word length and/or address space than what is offered by eachchip, often but not necessarily a power of two. The two basic operationsperformed by a memory chip are “read”, in which the data contents of amemory word is read out (nondestructively), and “write” in which data isstored in a memory word, replacing any data that was previously storedthere. To increase data rate, in some of the latest types of memorychips such as DDR SDRAM multiple words are accessed with each read orwrite operation.

In addition to standalone memory chips, blocks of semiconductor memoryare integral parts of many computer and data processing integratedcircuits. For example the microprocessor chips that run computerscontain cache memory to store instructions awaiting execution.

Shared Memory 134 is used by both the Lighting Controller 133, and theoptional Industrial Controller 135. Shared Memory 134 is used to storedata necessary for the semi-automatic, or automatic, control of the LaaSand MaaS system. This data can include, but is not limited to, patientidentity, medical worker identity, office employee identity, maintenancepersonnel identity, student identity, teacher identity, securitypersonnel identity, building type, space type, room type, LED fixturevoltage, LED fixture amperage, LED lumens, LED fixture type, LED fixtureheight above floor, LED fixture height above work surface, ambient lightcondition measurements and triggers motion measurements, occupancymeasurements, vacancy measurements, humidity measurements, temperaturemeasurements, air quality measurements, soil condition measurements,leaf wetness measurements, time-of-day, day-of-week, holiday schedules,building operational schedules, peak demand requirements, HVACthermostat measurements, refrigerator measurements, baking ovenmeasurements, point-of-sale system measurements, WiFi measurements,Bluetooth measurements, mobile device app measurements, facialexpression measurements, location measurements, license plate readerreadings, RFID tag readings, temporary over-ride measurements, lightingsystem wall switch signal measurements, non-linear dimmer matrices, etc.

Lighting Controller 133 and optional Industrial Controller 135 can alsouse data stored on Internet 100 and/or Hybrid Cloud 101 and/or HybridCloud 102 to semi-automatically and automatically control LED 140A, B,LED 141A, B, and LED 142A, B, and Relays, PLCS, Solenoids 161. This dataincludes, but is not limited to, patient identity, medical workeridentity, office employee identity, maintenance personnel identity,student identity, teacher identity, security personnel identity,building type, space type, room type, LED fixture voltage, LED fixtureamperage, LED lumens, LED fixture type, LED fixture height above floor,LED fixture height above work surface, ambient light conditionmeasurements and triggers, motion measurements and triggers, occupancymeasurements and triggers, vacancy measurements and triggers, humiditymeasurements and triggers, temperature measurements and triggers, airquality measurements and triggers, soil condition measurements andtriggers, leaf wetness measurements and triggers, time-of-day triggers,day-of-week triggers, holiday schedules, building operational schedules,peak demand requirements and triggers, HVAC thermostat measurements andtriggers, refrigerator measurements and triggers, baking ovenmeasurements and triggers, point-of-sale system measurements andtriggers, WiFi measurements and triggers, Bluetooth measurements andtriggers, mobile device app measurements and triggers, facial expressionmeasurements and triggers, location measurements and triggers, licenseplate reader readings and triggers, RFID tag readings, measurements andtriggers, temporary over-ride measurements and triggers, lighting systemwall switch signal measurements and triggers, non-linear dimmermatrices, etc.

Controller 132 also includes an optional Industrial Controller 135.Optional Industrial Controller 135 is designed to control Relays, PLCs,and Solenoids 161.

Line Card 136A, B, C is a printed circuit board that providestransmitting/receiving ports for data, and power transmission over theIntelligent Lighting Network of the present invention. The Line Cards136A, B, C plug into a modular chassis (not shown) of the Power Station130.

Line Card 136A, B, C also includes Power Conditioning Modules 137A, B, Crespectively. The Power Conditioning Modules 137A, B, C convert thestandard electrical output of PoE, PoE+, or PoE++, or non-standard PoEversions to the proper voltage and amperage required to power LED 140A,B, or LED 141A, B, or LED 142A, B. One advantage of the presentinvention's Power Station 130 is it is LED fixture agnostic, and LEDfixtures from different manufacturers can be powered on the sameIntelligent Lighting Network by the same Power Station 130.

Line Card 136 A, B, C also includes Micro-Controller 138A, B, and C.Micro-Controller 138A, B, C is configured to respond to DMX512 commandsfor stacking two channels on top of each other, delivered on a singleOutput Power Port 180A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I to power at least one LED140A, B, or LED 141A, B, or LED 142A, B. In addition, Micro-Controller138A, B, C is configured to respond to DMX512 commands to connect amultiplicity of DMX channels to a multiplicity of Output Power Ports180A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I.

Line Card 136A, B, C may be configured in a variety of form factors,including, but not limited to, a small box for managing and distributingpower that is located near LED 140A, B, LED 141A, B, and LED 142A, B, orin the form of an electrical wall outlet that is located near afree-standing, or mobile, lamp fixture that is designed to acceptincandescent or CFL bulbs, etc.

In the present invention, the incandescent or CFL bulbs would bereplaced with LED screw-based bulbs.

Using Line Card 136A, B, C configured as both a small box for managingand distributing power that is located near LED 140A, B, LED 141A, B,and LED 142A, B, and in the form of an electrical wall outlet that islocated near a free-standing, or mobile, lamp fixture that is designedto accept incandescent or CFL bulbs, etc., a hybrid PoE-powered systemthat allows for a wide variety of aesthetically pleasing free-standing,or mobile, lamp fixtures to be used in conjunction with edge-light LEDFlat Panels, reflective LED troffers, LED recessed lights, etc.

Line Card 136A, B, C (not shown) can include wireless capabilities, suchas, but not limited to, WiFi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, etc. to enablecommunications with wireless capabilities (not shown) in Controller 132.The wireless communications can be used to turn lights on, off, or dim.In addition, the Line Card 136A, B, C configured as at least oneelectrical wall outlet that is located near a free-standing, or mobile,lamp fixture that is includes screw-based LED lights can be groupedlogically together by Controller 132, and controlled as group, oraccording to triggers from Switches and Sensors 162.

LED 140A, B, LED 141A, B, and LED 142A, B are fixtures that producelight via a light-emitting diode (LED). LED lamps have a lifespan andelectrical efficiency that is several times better than incandescentlamps, and significantly better than most fluorescent lamps, with somechips able to emit more than 100 lumens per watt.

Like incandescent lamps and unlike most fluorescent lamps (e.g. tubesand compact fluorescent lamps or CFLs), LEDs come to full brightnesswithout need for a warm-up time. The life of fluorescent lighting isalso reduced by frequent switching on and off.

Some LED lamps are made to be a direct compatible drop-in replacementfor incandescent or fluorescent lamps. The LED lamp packaging may showthe lumen output, power consumption in watts, color temperature inkelvins or description (e.g. “warm white”), operating temperature range,and sometimes the equivalent wattage of an incandescent lamp of similarluminous output.

Most LEDs do not emit light in all directions, and their directionalcharacteristics affect the design of lamps, although omnidirectionallamps which radiate light over a 360° angle are becoming more common.The light output of single LEDs is less than that of incandescent andcompact fluorescent lamps. In most applications multiple LEDs are usedto form a lamp, although high-power versions (see below) are becomingavailable.

LED chips need controlled direct current (DC) electrical power. Anappropriate circuit is required to convert alternating current from thesupply to the regulated low voltage direct current used by the LEDs.LEDs are adversely affected by high temperature, so LED lamps typicallyinclude heat dissipation elements such as heat sinks and cooling fins.

AutoID 150A, B, C, D, E, F (aka Automatic Identification and DataCapture (AIDC)) refers to the methods of automatically identifyingobjects, collecting data about them, and entering that data directlyinto computer systems, without human involvement. Technologies typicallyconsidered as part of AIDC include bar codes, Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID), biometrics, magnetic stripes, Optical CharacterRecognition (OCR), smart cards, and voice recognition. AIDC is alsocommonly referred to as “Automatic Identification,” “Auto-ID,” and“Automatic Data Capture.”

AIDC is the process or means of obtaining external data, particularlythrough analysis of images, sounds or videos. To capture data, atransducer is employed which converts the actual image or a sound into adigital file. The file is then stored and at a later time it can beanalyzed by a computer, or compared with other files in a database toverify identity or to provide authorization to enter a secured system.Capturing of data can be done in various ways and the best methoddepends on application.

AIDC also refers to the methods of recognizing objects, gettinginformation about them and entering that data or feeding it directlyinto computer systems without any human involvement. Automaticidentification and data capture technologies include barcodes, RFID,barcodes, OCR, magnetic stripes, smart cards and biometrics (like irisand facial recognition system).

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is relatively a new AIDCtechnology which was first developed in 1980s. The technology acts as abase in automated data collection, identification and analysis systemsworldwide.

RFID and barcodes are the primary AutoID (aka AIDC) technologies thatwould be used to mark LED 140A, B, LED 141A, B, and LED 142A, B.

In the present invention, AutoID 150A, B, C, D, E, F configured as RFIDtags would be used during installation to capture the ID of the lightand its physical location by RFID triangulation. These identities andlocations would be compared to the RCP (Reflected Ceiling Plan) for theinstallation. In this manner, the Intelligent Lighting Network Systemmay become self-aware, and capable of becoming self-configuring. The DMXchannels for a light, or string of lights, can be assigned on-the-fly.In addition, during installation, Lighting Controller 133 can accesstables in Shared Memory 134 that define national and local code lightinglevels for various building types, and spaces, and room types. Using thelighting systems sensors in Switches and Sensors 162 the IntelligentLighting Network System can be configured and adjusted automatically.

Access Point 160 is a WiFi access point that is used to communicatewireless with the Intelligent Lighting Network System, and to monitorWiFi Radio MAC addresses. In addition, Access Point 160 includes aBluetooth Radio that can monitor Bluetooth Radio MAC addresses. Oneexample of such an Access Point 160 is the Meraki MR series, whichtracks probing MAC addresses from associated and non-associated clients.This data is exported in real time from the access points to Meraki'scloud for analytics. Information is then calculated and presented in theMeraki dashboard to display metrics such as user dwell-time, repeatvisits and capture rate (people passing by vs. coming inside a site).This information can be used by retailers, hospitality, and enterprisecustomers to understand foot traffic and visitor behavior across sites,and can facilitate an optimization of opening hours, marketinginitiatives, and staffing policies.

Digital Signage and Marketing System 163 is comprised of digital signs(not shown), digital advertising and messaging players (not shown),client GUIs (not shown), customer GUIs (not shown), cameras (not shown),optional kiosks (not shown), social media marketing engine (not shown),and apps for receiving coupons, discounts, and offers generated by theDigital Signage and Marketing System 163.

Cables 190A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L M, N, O, P, Q are used inelectrical and electronic systems for transmitting electric power ortelecommunication signals from one place to another. Cables 190A, B, C,D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L M, N, O, P, Q are made-up of one or moreconductors. Electric communication cables transmit voice messages,computer data, and visual images via electrical signals to telephones,wired radios, computers, teleprinters, facsimile machines, andtelevisions. There is no clear distinction between an electric wire andan electric cable. Usually the former refers to a single, solid metallicconductor, with or without insulation, while the latter refers to astranded conductor or to an assembly of insulated conductors.

Wireless Connection 190R illustrates a wireless connection from theAutoID 150A, B, C, D, E, and F to a wireless access point, which can beconfigured, such as, but not limited to, an RFID interrogator.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention in which the Power Station 130 as illustrated in FIG. 1 isbroken into separate components, which include Controller 132, LightingController 133, Shared Memory 134, and optional Industrial Controller135 which are integrated in a rack-mountable chassis, and Line Cards136A, B, C which are packaged as separate devices. The like-identifiedelements in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 have previously been described in FIG. 1.

It is important to note that Line Card 136A, B, C illustrated in FIG. 2may be configured in a variety of form factors, including, but notlimited to, a small box for managing and distributing power that islocated near LED 140A, B, LED 141A, B, and LED 142A, B, or in the formof an electrical wall outlet that is located near a free-standing, ormobile, lamp fixture that is designed to accept incandescent or CFLbulbs, etc.

In the present invention, the incandescent or CFL bulbs would bereplaced with LED screw-based bulbs.

Using Line Card 136A, B, C configured as both a small box for managingand distributing power that is located near LED 140A, B, LED 141A, B,and LED 142A, B, and in the form of an electrical wall outlet that islocated near a free-standing, or mobile, lamp fixture that is designedto accept incandescent or CFL bulbs, etc., a hybrid PoE-powered systemthat allows for a wide variety of aesthetically pleasing free-standing,or mobile, lamp fixtures to be used in conjunction with edge-light LEDFlat Panels, reflective LED troffers, LED recessed lights, etc.

Line Card 136A, B, C (not shown) can include wireless capabilities, suchas, but not limited to, WiFi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, etc. to enablecommunications with wireless capabilities (not shown) in Controller 132.The wireless communications can be used to turn lights on, off, or dim.In addition, the Line Card 136A, B, C configured as at least oneelectrical wall outlet that is located near a free-standing, or mobile,lamp fixture that is includes screw-based LED lights can be groupedlogically together by Controller 132, and controlled as group, oraccording to triggers from Switches and Sensors 162.

The following description is a practical example of how the presentinvention for powering and communicating with an intelligent lightingsystem operates in a small footprint building, such as a Quick ServiceRestaurant (QSR) setting.

An employee enters the building and turns a wall switch (Switches andSensors 162) located near the door, as required by building codes, fromthe ‘OFF’ position to the ‘ON’ position.

A signal in the form of a data is sent via cable 190Q to PoE Switch 120which includes a code for “ON” and the electronic identity of the wallswitch. A Cable 190Q is the preferred physical medium for transmittingthe ‘ON’ data signal, but it should be noted that a wireless channel,such as WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc., are also acceptable means forcommunication.

The data signal is routed to the circuit boards for Controller 132 andLighting Controller 133 via cable 190D and Input Power and Data Port181A.

The program operating the intelligent lighting system on LightingController 133 receives the data signal wall switch to turn “ON” thelights. The lighting system program accesses various data tables inShared Memory 134 to cross-reference the electronic identity of the wallswitch against which LEDs 140A, B, 141A, B, 142A, B are grouped togetherlogically as a lighting circuit. The lighting system program alsoaccesses data tables in Shared Memory for actions to take for theappropriate dim level according to some, or all, of the following tableswith associated triggers and instructions: time-of-day, day-of-week,holiday schedule, ambient light conditions as detected by ambient lightsensors (Switches and Sensors 162), motion as detected by motion sensors(Switches and Sensors 162), occupancy and vacancy as calculated bymotion data, the maximum dim setting selected from a group consistingof: minimum light settings according to national and local buildingscodes, minimum light settings according to OSHA, minimum light settingsaccording to various standards organizations, minimum light settingsaccording to insurance company requirements, and minimum light settingsaccording to building owner requirements, AutoID 150A, B, C, D, E, Fdata signals consisting of serial numbers related to various LED 140A, B(Mfg. A), LED 141A, B (Mfg. B), LED 142A, B (Mfg. C) received viaWireless Connection 190R of which the data consists of dimmer matricesfor each SKU that include Pulse Width Modulation Duty Cycles matched tothe desired light outputs, and logical circuits which include SKU vs.Output Power Ports 180A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I vs. LED 140A, B (Mfg.A), LED 141A, B (Mfg. B), LED 142A, B (Mfg. C).

Lighting Controller 133 uses all available data to intelligently selectthe correct Pulse Width Modulation duty cycle setting that is requiredfor each LED 140A, B (Mfg. A), LED 141A, B (Mfg. B), LED 142A, B (Mfg.C), and which physical channels to distribute power over to the variouslights LED 140A, B (Mfg. A), LED 141A, B (Mfg. B), LED 142A, B (Mfg. C)in the lighting network.

The Power Bus and Back-plane 131 supplies power and routes data to LineCards 136A, B, C.

Lighting Controller 133 communicates with the Power Conditioning Modules137A, B, C, on Line Cards 136A, B, C the correct DC volt and amperagesettings according the SKU of each LED 140A, B (Mfg. A), LED 141A, B(Mfg. B), LED 142A, B (Mfg. C). In addition, Lighting Controller 133communicates with Microcontrollers 138A, B, C on Line Cards 136A, B, C,the correct PWM duty cycle settings for each physical channel that isconnected to Output Power Ports 180A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I that areconnected to LED 140A, B (Mfg. A), LED 141A, B (Mfg. B), LED 142A, B(Mfg. C).

The intelligent lighting back-end system can store relevant lightingsystem data tables in Hybrid Cloud 101 and/or Hybrid Cloud 102 locatedon Internet 100 via Router 100. The intelligent lighting system alsoincludes at least one Access Point 160 so mobile users can control thesystem via apps on mobile phones and tablets.

The present invention's network gear can also be used to power DigitalSignage and Marketing systems 163.

Lastly, the present invention's Optional Industrial Controller 135 isprogrammed to use Shared Memory 134 to access parameters, data,electronic identities, and triggers to control Relays, PLC's, andSolenoids 161 that may be connected to walk-in coolers, oven belt speedsand temperatures, HVAC thermostats, etc.

The present invention has been described in particular detail withrespect to several possible embodiments. Those of skill in the art mayappreciate that the invention may be practiced in other embodiments.First, the particular naming of the components and capitalization ofterms is not mandatory or significant, and the mechanisms that implementthe invention or its features may have different names, formats, orprotocols. Also, the particular division of functionality between thevarious systems components described herein is merely exemplary, and notmandatory. Functions performed by a single system component may insteadbe performed by multiple components, and functions performed by multiplecomponents may instead performed by a single component.

Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the abovediscussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description,discussions utilizing terms such as “determining” or the like, refer tothe action and processes of a computer system, or similar electroniccomputing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented asphysical (electronic) quantities within the computer system memories orregisters or other such information storage devices. Certain aspects ofthe present invention include process steps and instructions. It shouldbe noted that the process steps and instructions of the presentinvention could be embodied in software, firmware or hardware, and whenembodied in software, could be downloaded to reside on and be operatedfrom different platforms.

Furthermore, the computers referred to in the specification may includea single processor or may be architectures employing multiple processordesigns for increased computing capability. The scope of this inventionshould be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents,rather than by the examples given.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for powering and controlling alight-emitting diode (LED) lighting network, the system comprising: atleast one router operably connected to the Internet and a local network;at least one controller operably connected to the at least one router;at least one non-standard Power-over Ethernet (PoE) power supply; atleast one line card operably connected to the at least one controller;at least one structured cabling network operably connected to the atleast one router, the at least one controller, and the at least onenon-standard Power-over Ethernet (PoE) power supply; and at least onedaisy chain of LED fixtures connected together electrically in seriesoperably connected to the at least one line card; wherein the at leastone controller provides control signals to set a light output of the atleast one daisy chain of LED fixtures; and wherein the at least onecontroller provides control signals to the at least one line card formanaging power that is distributed to the at least one daisy chain ofLED fixtures.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one linecard is configured in one or more form factors.
 3. The system of claim2, wherein the one or more form factors allows the system to be utilizedwith a standard LED fixture.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the oneor more form factors allows the system to be utilized with a screw-basedlighting fixture.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the light output isset to an off state at zero percent light, to an on state at one-hundredpercent light, or to a dim state at a percentage between zero andone-hundred percent.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein managing thepower that is distributed to the at least one daisy chain of LEDfixtures thereby reduces the number of non-standard Power-over Ethernet(PoE) power supplies required in the LED lighting network, the number ofcables needed in the at least one structured cabling network, the numberof line cards needed in the LED lighting network, and energy needed topower the LED lighting network.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the atleast one non-standard Power-over Ethernet (PoE) power supply isconfigured to power a sensor network.
 8. The system of claim 7, whereinthe sensor network includes at least one sensor selected from the listconsisting of an ambient light sensor, an occupancy sensor, and avacancy sensor.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one linecard further comprises a shared memory device.
 10. The system of claim9, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to store data on theshared memory device.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the at leastone line card utilizes data from at least one sensor to set the lightlevel setting.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one linecard is equipped with vertical and horizontal power regulation anddistribution across multiple ports to optimize port usage.
 13. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the at least one controller is designed toinclude an industrial bus controller for managing and operating relays,solenoids, PLCs, and configured to communicate with building automationsystems.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one line cardcomprises at least one physical channel connected to an output port anda power conditioning module operably powering the at least one physicalchannel.
 15. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least onePower-over-Ethernet (PoE) switch.
 16. The system of claim 15, whereinthe at least one Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) switch is configured tocontrol the flow of a lighting system switch and sensor data within theLED lighting network and supply direct current power to the at least oneline card.
 17. The system of claim 1, wherein the router is operablyconnected to a hybrid cloud for hosting applications and software forproviding lighting as a service and for other services.
 18. A method forpowering and controlling a light-emitting diode (LED) lighting network,comprising: connecting at least one router to the Internet and a localnetwork; providing with at least one controller control signals capableof setting a light output of an LED fixture; powering with at least onenon-standard Power-over Ethernet (PoE) power supply having a pluralityof Power-over Ethernet (PoE) ports and a sensor network; maintainingoperable connections between at least one structured cabling network,the at least one router, at least one line card, the at least onecontroller, the at least one non-standard Power-over Ethernet (PoE)power supply, and at least one daisy chain of LED fixtures; and managingthrough control signals provided by the at least one controller powerthat is distributed to the at least one daisy chain of LED fixtures. 19.The method of claim 18, further comprising setting the light output toan off state at zero percent light, an on state at one-hundred percentlight, or a dim state at a percentage between zero and one-hundredpercent.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising providing datawith a sensor of the sensor network, storing the data on a shared memorydevice of the at least one line card, and utilizing the data to set thelight output.